CIRIA guidance

CIRIA has produced a number of guidance documents covering a range of opportunities and challenges related to general water management, all the way through to specific SuDS components. The more notable publications are CIRIA C753 The SuDS Manual and CIRIA C713 Retrofitting for surface water management. The majority of publications are below, some are free to download.

Sustainable drainage

Save time and money with SuDS - SuDS infographic2019. The 'Save time and money with SuDS' infographic details the multiple benefits of SuDS and how the sustainable drainage approach is better for the community.Infographic - Download hereReference sources - Download here

Guidance on the construction of SuDS (C768) (FREE)2017. This guide provides best practice guidance on the construction of SuDS to ensure effective delivery. Download here (content is freely available once you have registered/signed in to CIRIA)

The SuDS Manual (C753) (FREE)

2015. This comprehensive guidance provides best practice guidance on the planning, design, construction, operation and maintenance of SuDS.

Download here (content is freely available once you have registered/signed in to CIRIA)

BeST (Benefits of SuDS Tool) (FREE)2015. Tool and guidance to assist with the assessment of SuDS benefits.Visit here

Going with the flow - SuDS infographic

2015. The ‘Going with the flow’ infographic details some of the key objectives and outcomes from a sustainable drainage approach.

Surface water management

2014. This report summarises key findings from CIRIA project RP991 to support the delivery of drainage exceedance and refers to examples of good practice obtained from case studies, literature review and consultation with industry.

Download here (content is freely available once you have registered/signed in to CIRIA)

General water management

Communication and engagement in local flood risk management (C751) (FREE)This guide is useful to identify, engage and work with people likely to be affected by flooding, or integral to its future management.Download hereCommunication and engagement techniques in local flood risk management, companion guide (C752) (FREE)This is a companion guide to Communication and engagement in local flood risk management (C751) and provides more details on the techniquies and their use.Download here

Creating water sensitive places – scoping the potential for Water Sensitive Urban Design in the UK (C724) (FREE)

2013. This scoping study provides detail about Water Sensitive Urban Design and its potential role in the UK. It is complemented by C723.

SuDS components

This supersedes C680 and discusses the different types of geocellular units available and provides guidance on the testing that should be undertaken to determine their strength, deformation characteristics, geotechnical design as well as installation. Click here for more information

Structural designs of modular geocellular drainage tanks (C680)

2008. This guidance discusses the different types of geocellular drainage units and differences in their structural performance.